BETTY JEAN FARMER

Betty Jean Farmer, age 81, former resident of Fort Scott, Kan., and more recently of Hillsboro, Kan., died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, at Parkside Home in Hillsboro surrounded by her family.

She was born July 28, 1927 in Fort Scott, the daughter of Raymond Wesley Farmer and Annabelle Workman Farmer.

Betty was a 1945 graduate of Fort Scott High School.

She married Kenneth M. Monroe Sr. They later divorced. She then married Ewel Johnson and later divorced.

She worked for many years at Wal-Mart Pharmacy and also greeted customers at the entrance to Wal-Mart. She was a member of Cherry Grove Baptist Church, the Ideal Chapter Order of Eastern Star, and was a Red Hat Lady. She was past president of the BPW, past president of the Daughters of the Nile and volunteered with the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary.

While living in Hillsboro, she was active in senior activities and was honored as the "Best All Around Senior Citizen" from the Marion County Fair.

Survivors include one son: Kenneth M. Monroe II and wife Loretta, Kingsland, Texas; one daughter: Jo Annell Myers and husband David, Bronson, Kan.; and one sister: Bonnie Jo Neal, New Haven, Ind.

Also surviving are six grandchildren; five great-granddaughters; two great-grandsons; one niece; two nephews and several cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother-in-law, Lon E. Neal.

Pastor Dale Cummins will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in Large Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Eastern Star services at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to either the Harry Hines Hospice or the Cherry Grove Baptist Church and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kan. 66701.